THE GQ PATROL
UNTIL the launch of the GQ Patrol (Y60) in late 1987, Nissan
always played second fiddle to Toyota, which had its hugely
popular Land Cruiser spearheading its four-wheel drive line-up.
But Nissan got the hop on Toyota when the all-coil-spring GQ
Patrol landed locally, and it sold like hotcakes compared to the
now-outdated leaf-spring 60 Series Land Cruiser. Nissan held on
to this technical (and therefore sales) advantage until 1990, when
Toyota finally rushed the 80 Series to market.
There were some carry-over body parts from the MQ, but
the new GQ Patrol was light years ahead of its predecessor
(and competition) in terms of styling, ride quality and
refinement. Its long-travel, coil-spring suspension offered a
blend of on-road comfort and off-road performance that couldn’t
be matched – at least without taking out a second mortgage and
buying a Range Rover.
Up front, the GQ Patrol sported a three-link, live-axle, coil-spring
arrangement, while the rear was a five-link design (the cab-chassis
variant was initially offered with only a leaf-spring rear-end). Sway
bars were fitted at both ends and some models featured rear sway
bar disconnects for increased wheel travel inoff-road situations.six (125kW/325Nm), and the 4.2-litre OHV TD42 diesel six
(85kW/264Nm). Both engines were mated to a heavy-duty, five-
speed manual or a four-speed auto transmission, and power was
directed through a two-speed transfer case and part-time 4WD
system. A limited-slip rear diff was standard, or a rear diff lock
could be selected as an optional extra on some models. All wagons
featured four-wheel disc brakes, while the cab-chassis retained
drums at the rear.
There were a variety of trim levels on offer, starting with
the base-spec DX, which had vinyl trim, manually operated
windows and mirrors, manual free-wheeling hubs and optional
air conditioning. The ST added cloth trim, power windows and
mirrors, central locking, standard air conditioning and auto hubs
(with manual override). A high-roof Ti model was added in 1989,
which scored velour trim, carpet, rear air conditioning, upgraded
sound system and alloy wheels. The high-roof (called the Safari
Roof) was flicked in 1991, although the Ti model was retained in
the line-up, albeit with standard roof height.
Nissan added a third engine to the Patrol wagon line-up in 1990:
the 3.0-litre RB30 petrol six (100kW/224Nm). This was the same
engine used in the Nissan Skyline and Holden VL Commodore
and, while not ideally suited for use in a big, heavy 4WD like the
ed popular thanks to keen pricing. This engine was
ith a five-speed manual transmission in seven-seat012
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LAST OIL-BURNER KINGGU Patrol offered a peerless (for
the time) balance of on-road
comfort and off-road ability.844 http://www.4X4australia.com.auHISTORY NISSAN PATROL